New Transplant Techniques Show Promise

Lung transplants are an important treatment option for end-stage cystic fibrosis. Unfortunately, only 15-20% of donated lungs can actually be transplanted because of damage that occurs during or after the donor’s death.

Dr. Shaf Keshavjee and his team at Toronto General Hospital, have developed two techniques that will increase the number of lung transplants that can be done.

Currently, lungs removed from a donor’s body are preserved on ice and have to be transplanted within six hours before they are damaged. Dr. Keshavjee has designed a bubble-like container, which mimics the warm and humid conditions in the body, while a special solution is pumped through the lungs to preserve them. This allows the lungs to be outside the body for up to 20 hours, enabling doctors to assess and repair minor damage.

Dr. Keshavjee is also testing the use of gene therapy to repair damaged lungs before transplantation. When a specific gene was injected into damaged lungs, inflammation began to decrease and lung tissue began repairing itself. This method is still in early testing, but shows real promise.

These techniques will increase the number of successful lung transplants, and shorten waiting times for those in need of a transplant.

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Reviewed/updated: 2010-02-12